THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI
HIS REIGN AND MINISTRY
CHAPTER 9
Nephi makes two sets of records—Each is called the plates of Nephi—The larger plates contain a secular history; the smaller ones deal primarily with sacred things. [ Between 600 and 592 B.C. ]
[ Nephi stops abridging Lehi's record, starts writing his own. Why does he do that? Because he has been commanded by the Lord too do so, he has seen the same vision that his father has seen of the tree of life and now he knows through God what he needs to do with that message. We need to remember that Nephi does not proceed forward with his writings in a journal fashion, or meaning that he does not just write a little each day; but rather he sits down and writes them all at once, it is a term paper or project that he works on. ]
1 AND all these things did my father see,
and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent,[ so, a lot of times we read little statements, ‘and my father dwelled in a tent.’ Now we think, okay, Lehi, he’s camping, but the reality is, this is what is called an ancient marker. It is used when there is a teaching moment, you will be prefaced with,’ and my father dwelled in a tent.’ In other words their Tabernacle in the wilderness. so, He’s giving a teaching to all those who have eyes to see, if he says, and my father dwelled in a tent, you know that there’s something right around that scripture he’s teaching you, that is to help you ascend to the promise land. ] in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates. [ the small plates, so when he refers to "those" or other plates they are the large plates Book Of Mormon Study Manual pg 24. The large plates were first made about 590 B.C., The small plates were made 20 years later, about 570 B.C.,The large plates cover a period from 570 B.C.–A.D. 385 and cover the account of kings, wars, and history.,The small plates cover a period from 570–130 B.C. and give an account of the Nephite ministry. ]
2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people; [ Keeping the historical records separate from the religious account is a method found in the Torah as well. For example, compare and contrast the two versions of manna and quail found in Exod. 16:12-13 and Num. 11:18-20, 31- 33. ] for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and these plates also are called the plates of Nephi. [ The small plates. ]
3 Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people. [ (D&C 10:39-40) ]
4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people; wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.
5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates [ Two sets of plates the second set being the more sacred record. Which are the ones that we have today (these plates) - the other set was lost as the 116 pages of manuscript by Martin Harris. ] for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. [ What if Nephi had decided that well he was not going to do it because it was just too much trouble? Are we ever told to do things, given promptings and they sound weird so we don't do them? Nephi never knew the reason, but we do. The lost 116 pages by Martin Harris were the "other plates" - Joseph was commanded by the Lord not to retranslate these records, Joseph Smith was told to translated the second set of plates or the ones that contained more of the ministry, the more sacred records instead. so if the only reason was because the Lord knew they would be lost by Martin Harris then why did Nephi not stop when he had completed the 116 pages? See 1 Ne 19:1-6. ]
6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. [ As if to say; and I do not know the reason why I am to keep different records other than I was commanded to do so and that is good enough for me. ] Amen.